Premier League admits Jota red card error

An independent panel responsible for reviewing key match incidents in the Premier League has ruled that Diogo Jota‘s red card during Liverpool’s match against Tottenham should not have been given. The Portuguese forward was sent off after receiving two quick yellow cards in the second half of the game.

The panel, which reviewed the incident, determined that the second tackle by Jota on Destiny Udogie did not meet the threshold for a booking. They concluded that the first yellow card, which was issued despite no contact being made between Jota and Udogie, was also incorrect. Three out of the five panel members voted against the booking.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shared the same opinion, expressing his confusion over Jota’s dismissal. During a press conference, Klopp stated, “The first [tackle] I think is clear not a yellow. The second I didn’t see actually back, but it’s not important. If the first is not a yellow, then we still play with 10 men.”

The decision by the independent panel is likely to add to the frustration felt by Liverpool fans, who were already displeased with other officiating errors during the match. One such mistake involved a disallowed goal by Luis Diaz due to a communication error between referee Simon Hooper and the VAR officials. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) acknowledged the error and referred to it as a “significant human error.”

Klopp had previously called for a replay of the match in light of the officiating mistakes. However, the panel’s ruling on Jota’s red card does not necessarily imply that a replay will be granted.

In addition to Jota’s red card, Liverpool also unsuccessfully appealed the decision to send Curtis Jones off in the first half of the match. Jones will be suspended for upcoming league games against Brighton, Everton, and Nottingham Forest.

As a consequence of the errors made during the Liverpool-Tottenham game, VAR officials Darren England and Dan Cook have been stood down from their Premier League duties for the following weekend. Simon Hooper, the referee involved in the match, will assume the role of VAR for the Bournemouth-Everton fixture.